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Coping with Asia’s Large Capital Inflows in a Multi-speed Global Economy

Coping with Asia’s Large Capital Inflows in a Multi-speed Global Economy. Jeffrey Frankel Harpel Professor of Capital Formation & Growth, Harvard University. Keynote address Bali, Indonesia, March 11, 2011. We have seen three big cycles of capital flows to developing countries since 1975.

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Coping with Asia’s Large Capital Inflows in a Multi-speed Global Economy

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  1. Coping with Asia’sLarge Capital Inflowsin a Multi-speed Global Economy Jeffrey FrankelHarpel Professor of Capital Formation & Growth, Harvard University Keynote address Bali, Indonesia, March 11, 2011

  2. We have seen three big cycles of capital flows to developing countries since 1975 • (I) Recycling petrodollars 1975-81 -- • ended in the international debt crisis of 1982, • and the lost decade 1982-89 (in Latin America). • (II) The emerging markets boom 1990-96 -- • ended in the East Asia crisis of 1997-98 • and then others, 1998-2002: Russia, Brazil, Argentina & Turkey. • (III) The carry trade boom of 2003-08 -- • suspended in the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-09. • Presumably the renewed flows of 2010 count as the beginning of a 4th wave (vs. a continuation of the 3rd).

  3. Net Private Capital Inflows to Low- & Middle-income Countriesas % of GDP (Low and Middle Income) 5.00 4.50 4.00 3.50 NetTotal Private Capital Flos 3.00 2.50 2.00 1.50 1.00 ct 0.50 1992 1994 2000 2002 2004 1990 1988 1998 1996 1986 1982 1984 1970 1972 1974 1976 1980 1978 - Source: World Development Indicators The first two complete cycles E.Asiacrisis of 1997 1stboom: 1975-81 International debt crisis of 1982 3rd boom: 2003- 2nd boom: 1990-96

  4. In the 3rd boom, 2003-08, countries used the inflowsto build up forex reserves,rather than to finance current account deficitsas in the 2nd boom, 1990-96 3rd boom: 2003- 2nd boom: 1990-96 E.Asiacrisis of 1997

  5. 4th Wave: Capital flows to emerging markets recovered quickly from the 2009 recession, esp.Asia.These countries again show big balance of payments surpluses. Goldman Sachs

  6. One could be sensationalist, and warn of a repetitionof the crashes of 1982 & 1997. • If I were superstitious I might say that the cycle is 15 years, • 7 fat years followed by • a crisis and then 7 lean years, • implying that we were due for another Emerging Market (EM) crisis as soon as 2012!

  7. More seriously, caution is always appropriate. • Although the phrase “two speed” or “multi speed” global economic growth neatly captures the reality of a better growth outlook in Asia (non-Japan) • and among other EM & developing economies, • than among industrialized countries, • it would worry me if anybody thought this was the full explanation for current capital flows.

  8. Yes: 2-speed growth Industrialized economies Industrial production by end-2010 had not yet re-attained pre-recession peaks among industrialized economies, but was back on its rapid growth trajectory among emerging markets. Emerging Markets Alan Taylor & Manoj Pradhan

  9. But to attribute the capital flows entirely to good EM growth prospects would neglect the equally important and well-known role of global financial market conditions. • I do not think anybody is forgetting this: • We hear so much about hot money & the carry trade • and even attacks on the Fed • in the “currency wars.”

  10. Historically, low US real interest rates have played some role in encouraging each capital market boom Let’s review briefly: • (I) The inflation peak of 1979 • (II) Calvo-Leiderman-Reinhart 1990s warning • (III) The “reach for yield” of 2003-07. • Today’s “hot money” concerns.

  11. History (I) • The Volcker monetary tightening of 1980-82 raised real interest rates from <0 in 1979 to ≈10% , • helping precipitate 1982’s internationaldebtcrisis. • Not that it wasn’t necessary, to fight inflation, • and not to forget the crisis’ fundamental causes: • entrenched habits in developing countries • of excessive budget deficits, debt, and monetization.

  12. History (II) When capital flooded into EMs in the early 1990s, • many, quite plausibly, attributed it to new fundamentals, especially market reforms: • macroeconomic stabilization • trade liberalization • capital account liberalization • privatization. • Calvo, Leiderman & Reinhart (1993)pointed out that low US interest rates were at least as important a cause, • implicitly warning of an eventual repeat of 1982.

  13. History (III) • “This Time is Different” is a phrase now famous as the title of the book by Reinhart & Rogoff. • But Ken Rogoff originally used it as the title of a 2004 article (“This Time It’s Not Different,” Newsweek Internl., 2/16/04). • where it referred specifically to the under-estimation of risk by investors going into Emerging Markets, as reflected in low spreads. • Perhaps influenced by low U.S. interest rates: • => reach for yield => under-estimation of risk • => carry trade => spreads too low (below 200 basis pts by 2007).

  14. The crisis we got in 2009 • originating in the US, yet strengthening the $ • was not precisely the crisis we warned of • a hard landing for the $, which was to hit US bonds & emerging markets particularly badly. • But the claim that financial markets had grossly underestimated global risk turned out to be right. • My own view of recent attacks on the Fed: • The Fed’s reduction in interest rates virtually to 0 was the right response to the severe recession that hit the world economy in the last quarter of 2008, • QE2 in late 2010 was the right responseto continued US weakness, • and floating rates can accommodate the difference for countries where the problem is now inflation. • Monetary ease is not a beggar-thy-neighbor policy.

  15. Implications: • Never assume that the cycle is dead. • The 4th boom will not last forever. • Beware exogenous world financial conditions. • But it is not my intention to be a pessimist. I turn now to some happier thoughts, before suggesting what we can learn from recent history for how to manage these inflows.

  16. This time is different, in some respects. • There has been a recent historic shift in the relationship between EMs & advanced economies: • an inter-shuffling of the two decks, and in a few respects even a reversal of roles. • Rapid recovery in EMs from 2008-09 recession. • Indeed, growth stayed relatively strong throughout, in China, India, Indonesia, & some other Asian developing countries. • Hence the “multi-speed” title. • Strong fiscal positions.

  17. Historic reversal of fiscal positions • Debt/GDP of the top 20 rich countries (≈ 80%) • is twice that of the top 20 emerging markets; • and rising rapidly. Debtas%ofGDP Developed Countries Emerging Markets

  18. Historic reversal of fiscal positions,continued • Inter-shuffling of credit rating agency rankings. • Singapore’s credit rating is above Belgium’s • China’s rating rose above Japan’s in January • Taiwan PoC is above Italy • Korea is above Portugal • Malaysia is above Ireland • India is above Greece.

  19. Historic reversal, continued • High private saving in Emerging Markets as well. • EM fiscal policies, which always used to be procyclical (destabilizing), have become less so, • while US & UK, which used to be countercyclical,have moved the other way over the last decade. • That helped some EMs moderate 2009 recession • China • Chile

  20. Convergence does not mean the end of the cycle • Notwithstanding worthwhile financial reforms in Basel or elsewhere, there will always be a boom bust cycle, for countries rich & poor. • The question is how to manage inflows during the booms and make best use of them, so as • (i) to minimize the danger of the busts and • (ii) to maximize long-run growth. • I take that question to be the topic of the conference.

  21. Lessons on how to manage capital inflows • Decisions by the central bank: • 1) Capital controls ? • 2) Intervention ? • 3) Sterilization ? • Decisions made by rest of government • 1) Fiscal policy • 2) Agricultural commodity policy

  22. Choices made by central banks Management of capital inflows • 1) Capital controls? • Appropriately, IMF is more receptive than in 1997. • But it is important to be clear about the specifics,rather than speaking indiscriminately about Tobin taxes, Chile-type inflow controls, Malaysia-type outflow controls… • I am more sympathetic to controls that • fall on inflows rather than outflows, 1/ • are modest price penalties rather than prohibitions, • and are designed to shift the composition of inflows, away from short-term, $-denominated, bank loans… 2/ 1/ E.g., Reinhart & Smith (1998). But Bartolini & Drazen (1997). Survey: Ostry, Ghosh, Habermeier, Chamon, Qureshi & Reinhardt (2010) . 2/ E.g., Valdes-Prieto & Soto (1996) and Cardenas & Barrera (1997).

  23. Central bank management of capital inflows • 2) Intervene to buy foreign exchange? • If so, how much? • Are EMs taking the new inflows as reserves or appreciation? • Under an explicit rule? • Around what exchange rate target ? • not just what level, but also: is the anchor the $, a basket…? • Some lessons from recent research on forex regimes

  24. New denominator: short-term debt. Since 2000, many have brought their reserves above the level of short-term debt (the Guidotti rule). Emerging Market economies entered the 3rd boomwith more reserves than short-term debt, obeying the Guidotti rule,unlike the 2nd boom, which they entered with a ratio of short-term debt/reserves > 1 1990 2004 Rodrik (2006)

  25. The 4th wave was reflected as an increase in Exchange Market Pressureon all Asian countries in 2010,Singapore & Korea the most. EMP is definedas the sum of currency appreciation plus increase in Reserves (Net Foreign Assets) as a fraction of Monetary Base. Goldman Sachs Global Economics Weekly 11/07Feb.16, 2011

  26. Korea & Singapore have taken the inflows mostly in the form of reserves,while India & Malaysia in 2010 took the inflows in the form of currency appreciation. more-managed floating less-managed floating (“more appreciation-friendly”) GS Global ECS Research

  27. China gets the most attention, partly because it is so large in trade andpartly because it absorbs most of its Exchange Market Pressure as FX intervention, rather than appreciation %

  28. Korea (& Singapore & Taiwan PoC) are also adding heavily to reserves. GS Global ECS Research

  29. In Asia since 2008, India, followed by Indonesia, have had the greatest tendency to float, given EMP; HongKong & Singapore the least, followed by Malaysia&China. Goldman Sachs Global Economics Weekly 11/07Feb. 16, 2011

  30. India, Indonesia & Chinaare in danger of overheating => Indonesia & India havedone right to allow appreciation. GS Global Economics Weekly No. 11/08, Feb. 23, 2011

  31. Inflation has recently crept up in many of the major emerging markets Goldman Sachs BRICs Monthly, Feb.18, 2011

  32. In the advanced economies, by contrast, inflation is still low Goldman Sachs BRICs Monthly,Feb.18, 2011

  33. Of course internal balance is not the only criterion for judging whether the exchange rate is appropriate • External balance is equally relevant. • Appreciation is more appropriate in a country running a strong current account • for example due to an export commodity boom. • One problem with CPI-focused Inflation Targeting: • Interpreted literally, it precludes appreciation when the world price of the export commodity rises • And requires appreciation when the price of the import commodity rises, • Precisely the opposite of accommodating the terms of trade. • PPT (Producer Price Targeting) doesn’t have this problem.

  34. In Latin America, renewed inflows are reflected mostly as reserve accumulation in Peru, but as appreciation in Chile & Colombia. more-managed floating less-managed floating (“more appreciation-friendly”) Source: GS Global ECS Research

  35. Some lessons from research on foreign exchange regimes • Usefulness of reserves • 83 studies of Early Warning Indicators, even before 2009, • showed foreign exchange reserves as a significant predictor of crises more often than any other early warning indicator. • The ratio of reserves to short-term debt is particularly useful. • Which countries came through the 2008-09 crisis the best? • Reserve measures were again the best predictors. • Avoiding overvaluation was the 2nd-best indicator. • Current account/GDP & national saving rates also useful. • Floaters did better than fixers, esp.on European periphery.

  36. The variables that show up as the strongest predictors of countrycrises in 83 pre-2009 studies: (i) low reserves and (ii) currency overvaluation Early Warning Indicators Source: Frankel & Saravelos (2010)

  37. Best and Worst Performing Countries -- F&S (2010), Appendix 4

  38. F & Saravelos (2010):Multivariate ST Debt/Res PPP CA/GDP NS/GDP

  39. New lesson regarding exchange rate regimes • Old conventionalwisdom: The choice was between • fixing (changes in reserves; not in exchange rate) vs. • floating (changes in exchange rate; no reserves). • Now it appears that: • Intermediate regimes are indeed viable. • Holding reserves and floating are both useful.

  40. Central bank management of capital inflows • Sterilize increase in reserves? • If so, how much? • Within balance sheet of central bank, • or via commercial banks? • For how long?

  41. Two recommendations for a typical intermediate country • (1) Raise banks’ reserve requirements • especially against foreign-currency deposits. 1/ • It’s three policies in one: • Sterilization • Capital control (but without the dirigiste taint) • Prudential regulation. • (2) Sequence FX management of a capital inflow: • (i) First, intervene & sterilize reserve inflow. • (ii) After a year or two, abandon attempt to sterilize. • (iii) If inflow persists, allow appreciation. 1/ Ostry, Ghosh, Chamon & Qureshi (2011)

  42. Management of capital inflows Choices made by rest of government • Countercyclical fiscal policy: • A boom is a time to run a surplus. • Don’t get seduced into running large deficits by abundance of financing or visions of unending growth. • Then when there is a downturn, you can run a deficit. • Some learned how to do it over the last decade: • China • Chile, where fiscal institutions deliver countercyclicality • Rule: Govt. must set target for structurally adjusted surplus • Independent expert panels judge cyclical vs. structural.

  43. Choices made by rest of government,continued • If inflation shows up disproportionately in prices of food, fuel & other basic commodities, do not respond via price controls, rationing, export controls… • For one thing, they worsen commodity volatility in the long run. • True, raising administered food prices can be politically fatal. E.g., North Africa. • But people can riot as well in response to queuing for food at the controlled price and then discovering supplies have run out. • In the longer run, a country that trains its people to think that the government determines agricultural prices, rather than international markets, will get into trouble. • There are better policies.

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